So foggy at R4TJ, no John to be found

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A moist, damp, foggy and traffic filled R4TJ this morning as 15 PAX set out to face the gloom, literally.  Nice work men, all back in safe and sound!

FNGs: none

EC: Nemo, Redenbacher

Warm Up: 15 PAX circle up for some good mornings, SSH x 20, daisy pickers x 10, imperial walkers x 10 and light hammy stretching

The Workout: 12 took on the 5+ mile reverse Crossway route, carefully dodging cars in the fog.  3 PAX headed out on the 3 mile route and then back to Ting.  Various pick ups of the 6 along the way.  Cowboy the recipient of a nice honk from a driver clearly not paying attention this morning.

Mary: none, this is a running AO 🙂

Announcements: Run for Dee Dee, traffic continues to pick up on the feeder road between Main St and Hwy. 55 in the Ting parking lot – keep an eye out for those cars

T-claps: to Pablo for helping pick up the six

Prayer: Wallaby, Forceps, Wiggly and continue strength for Crablegs

Puke’n’Rally!

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The gloom was making a statement this morning. Foggy was an understatement. Norm and Dauber were out for EC at 0530. We started with 6, gained 1, lost 1 temporarily, lost 1 early, it was like musical workout. Anywho, here is what we did.

FNGs:
none

Warm Up:
Mosey down to concession stand with slides both sides on backside of courts
Up/downs x10
Reverse plank jacks x15 IC
Crab cakes x15 IC
Carolina Dry docks x20
5 burpees OYO (joined late by Dauber)

The Workout:
Step ups on wall x10 each leg
Dips x10, 1 leg out x10, switch x10
Rinse and repeat

Indian run to tennis courts

Merkin tidal wave – line up in straight line with feet on persons shoulders behind you in plank. Merkin down the line. Last guy double merkins then back up the line. HIM at end will have feet on the ground. X10 each him. Farva took off for bible study.

Fence irkins bear crawl train – PAX does irkins on fence while last person bear crawls under and through tunnel. Went long side of fence.

Partner carry suicides on tennis court (no sprinting, just carry)
– modify with lunge walk
*YHC saw Strawberry Hill walking for the exit and jokingly asked “Are you going to puke?” His simple answer “Yes!”*
Bunny hop suicides all four courts
Reg suicides 4 courts
*SH returned after a few minutes but finished the workout*

Burpee merkin ladder (increase merkins)
Last burpee had 10 merkins in it

Mary:
Sally song – chillcut plank down & plank up, pickle pounders on silent chorus
Windshield Wipers x10IC
Hello Dolly x15IC
Ankle taps 2 hands x20IC
HAND

Announcements:
Forceps sons service Saturday 12-2
Survey
Life saving training mentioned

T-Claps (Recognition):
Strawberry Hill feed the grass midway through the workout. He got back in the saddle though and finished.

Prayer:
Gump’s shoulder and job situation
Forceps family
Yosef’s kid
H1N1 injury
Personal prayers around the horn

Thanks for trying some new things with me today. Always a pleasure to lead you HIM.

BS Out!

Yo Joe! 13 PAX take on Cobra Commander and Embrace the Suck..

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Q Tour continues and this week found YHC close to home with a trip to Purple Cobra. Pre-Blast for this week’s workout showed a picture of a contemplative Cobra Commander from the early 80’s GI Joe cartoon. He was sitting on a Cobra throne exploring any one of a dozen highly ‘motivating’ possibilities. This was how YHC was feeling Monday morning, trying to keep with theme of changing things up and keeping the planned workouts on tour unique.

As a product of the 80’s, I used to watch GI Joe religiously. Back in the day Cobra Commander used to put Duke and the boys in compromising situations inflicting his wrath of terror. This dude was a straight up a$$hol3. Not exactly what was trying to lay down this morning for PAX, but it was gonna suck and we were gonna make all 45 minutes count.  Nemo and Pots approached YHC as he was working through the Weinke he put together asking for a heads up about this morning’s plan, the following exchange went something like this…

Nemo- “Hey Mookie, what kind of a pre-blast can you give us about this morning”

YHC- “Did you read the pre-blast with Cobra Commander?”

Nemo- “Yes- I used to love GI Joe”

YHC- “Yeah, Cobra Commander was such a dick, right?”

Nemo- “Yeah he was..”

YHC- “There’s your pre-blast”

At this point a crowd started to form. DawgPound, Redenbacher, and 187 were finishing the last steps of their EC runs. Dumbo fresh off a Disney vacation came rolling in with Pablo. We even got a visit from Rainmaker, who noted he was starting back up to posting again. Both site Q’s-Warbucks and Foghorn showed, along with Bobby Dall.  Lucky Charms was also present and accounted for.

5:30am hit and it was showtime..

Warm Up: YHC lead PAX with a nice brisk jog down the parking lot and up along Sunset Lake Rd via the side walk and back down to the Wells Fargo lot where we circled up for the following exercises.. SSH X25, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Mornings in Cadence X 10, Fazio 10F\10B, Seal Claps X10.. 2 Burpees OYO, mosey to the next corner of the lot 4 Burpees OYO, mosey to the far corner of the lot 6 Burpees OYO, and one more final mosey to the last corner for 8 Burpees OYO back to the start. Mosey’d out of the lot and formed 2 lines, one behind YHC and one behind 187.

The Workout: Led PAX behind Harris Teeter in dual Indian Runs to the loading dock behind the cleaners and pet store. Instructed PAX to grab a rock for each hand similar in weight and ones that they can easily grip. These will be your rocks for the series of exercises YHC had planned. All PAX gathered rocks and remained on plank with rocks in hand while waiting on the six.

Rock Webbs (1:2 Ratio)

YHC called for a series of Rock Webbs, where PAX would perform Merkins with hands over rocks, which were on the ground. After 1 Merkin, we’d rock press to 2 in cadence. YHC took PAX to 5 Merkins and 10 Rock Presses for now, saving the best for last for later. Upon completion, instructed PAX to the walls for a set of Balls to the Wall X20 in Cadence. PAX returned to their rocks and with a “Let’s go… Bring your rocks,” from YHC and we were off to the ramp for some exercises and sprints.

Rock Solid Merkin Sprints 

Partner Up…

Round 1

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Presses (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 5 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 2

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Lateral Raises (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 10 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 3

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Front Raises (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 15 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 4

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Rows (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 20 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Out of all the planned items for this morning, this next decision was the most questionable. YHC instructed PAX to drop their rocks and get back into their lines for another dual Indian Run. This time the lines would flow into the Planet Fitness lot and around all 4 corners. YHC was not planning for the parade of sad clowns rolling in around 5:50 to water their Ferns at Planet Fitness this morning, which detoured our lines slightly to side walks and out of harms way. All still accounted for and back to the rocks. PAX grabbed rocks and mosey’d back to the loading dock with a plank hold for the six.

Finish What We Started..Rock Webbs continued.

When all PAX were in, YHC continued his Rock Webb count to 6 Merkins 12 Rock Presses (IC). At 8 Merkins and 16 Rock Presses, instructed PAX back to the walls for Balls to the Wall IC X20 and an extra People’s Chair X10 IC. Back to the rocks and then continued 9 Merkins 18 Rock Presses IC. At that point, YHC got up and hadn’t gotten in 2 steps before Oliver Twist in the form of DawgPound demanded that we couldn’t end that way. “Please sir, I want some more” is what he said although I could be mistaken as I was somewhat hallucinating after that 18 count. That’s the thing about accountability, you’ll have dudes call you out if you don’t finish what you started….Here we go Dawgpound, just for you..10 Merkins 20 Rock Presses (IC). YHC was never so glad to return rocks at an AO in his life. Shoulders at this point were on fire.. I think at one point this last series had affected Dumbo to the point of confusion as his Merkins and Rock Presses looked more like Squats.

2 lines…Let’s Go. Indian Runs to back beyond the flag to the spot where Mary would be performed. Before we got to Mary, we had one more series. Plank hold for the six..

Merkin Tap Jail Break

From plank, PAX performed a series of 10 Merkins, hold, then transitioned to Shoulder Taps X20 IC, mosey 70 yards down the lot. Plank hold for the six. From plank, 10 more Merkins and 20 Should Taps in cadence. YHC usually likes a good jail break at the end of Cobra, so that’s what we did.

Mary: LBC X20, Low Slow Flutter X20, Homer to Marge X20, Pickle Pounders X20, Pigeon Stretches, Downward Dog, one last Shawshank.
Announcements: YHC needs someone to cover Ivan as he had a conflict. Potts later volunteered to cover Q. Check him out on Friday!
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX pushing each other this morning and holding each other accountable, including YHC. 187, Redenbacher, and DawgPound for getting some EC.
Prayer: Continued Prayers for Forceps and his family. Prayers for Wiggly and his family. First Responders and Military. All Unspoken. YHC took us out!

Always an honor to lead. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity this morning!

Seven of Diamonds – The Nest 2/25/2020

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When 5:30 rolled around, 11 PAX showed up, responding to the call for a non-stop, challenging workout.

Warmup:

EC: Norm, Marky Mark, Mr. Terrific, Boy George

SSH 20x, Smurf Jack 20x, Red Bull Smurf Jack 10x

GMs 10x

The Thang:

Whenever I Q, I try to maximize the unique features of the site. The Nest has a fantastic loop that’s not too long and not too short and includes a mini version of the ramp at Ting Stadium.

My goal for every Q is to challenge each PAX to do something beyond his ability. The Seven of Diamonds fit the bill for non-stop work. It’s a simple workout conducted on any circuit with four corners. On each circuit, you complete exercises in increasing multiples of seven: 7, 14, 21, or 28. I was impressed by the hard work everyone put in this morning!

Seven of Diamonds

Here’s today’s circuit:

  • Lap 1: 7 burpees each corner (total 28)
  • Lap 2: 14 low slow flutters in cadence each corner (total 56)
  • Lap 3: 21 Merkins each corner (total 84)
  • Lap 4: 28 squats each corner (total 112)

Everyone landed with someone their own pace. Pikachu and Mr. Terrific took turns challenging each other to sprints on the straightaways. Little did they know that I had sprints planned on the mini ramp. Two or three other groups naturally fell out and counted the exercises together. Faster groups circled back and completed exercises with slower groups.

Turns out that one corner is a bus stop. The bus rolled up while we were doing burpees. Pretty sure the kid was afraid to get out of mommy’s car and walk to bus until we were mostly done.

After completing the first four laps, I converted to an Indian run between corners to keep everyone together. We counted the final lap together, which included all four of the exercises.

Sprints: Finally, with about nine minutes to go, we all lined up for sprints. After all, I really didn’t want to disappoint anyone! In the dark, it was hard to find good markers, but I broke the ramp into thirds.

Three markers: Sprint to first marker, walk back; sprint to second marker, walk back; sprint to third marker, mosey to where we warmed up.

Mary: Low hold 30-60 seconds, Have A Nice Day!

Announcements: Check Slack. Also, look around you. Your F3 brothers are the ones who will make you stronger, both mentally and physically. You’ve tried it on your own, but it’s not sustainable. Enjoy these brothers around you. Keep giving, keep leading, keep motivating.

Prayer requests: Forceps and family, Wallaby and family, Lipstick’s sister

This was a fun Q, always a privilege to lead!

Modified due to rain

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Pax of 3 for modified Murph today because the pull-up bars were wet.  Rain didn’t stop us from running though, followed by sets under the pavilion.

Warm Up:  Run one mile

The Workout:  Modified Murph, substituted pull-ups with burpees.  Half way through workout we figured out that following 5 burpees with 10 merkins was a bad idea.  For second half of the sets we did LBC’s instead

Total workout:  50 Burpees, 50 LBC’s, 200 merkins, 300 squats

Mary:  Run one mile

Announcements: None

Prayer:  Silent

Light it up!!

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FNGs:1 FNG. (Armpit) 5 for EC.  Fonzie, breach, born & buttermilk
Warm Up:16 pax total started with SSH, Windmills, daisy pickers, fazio arm circles, seal claps, over head claps.
The Workout:9 for Red October

one person did battle rope twist while the others did the exercise 20 count IC

Rows

Squats twists

Push up drags

Burpee press

American hammers

Leg raises

Curls for girls

Step ups

side bends

Wonder bras/ (mountain climbers/ opp mc/ peter Parker)1:4

Half burpees curls

Mary:

all in 20 count Cadence

lsf/6 inches/ hello dolly

lbcs, homer to marge, pickle pounders, shoulder taps. 10 burpees oyo.

Announcements:q sheet need a filled out. Q all AO challenge. Forceps sons service at Hope Saturday
T-Claps (Recognition): Att runners along with half milers last weekend
Prayer:forceps and family, military and 1st responders, marriages and families health issues

Water Fountain in the Bathroom? No, but it smells like someone is dying in the Men’s room…

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FNGs: Welcome Fatback- Homicide Detective city of Raleigh, brought out by Rainmaker
Warm Up: Rainmaker was rolling in late with our FNG- PAX did SSH until they arrived and joined the circle. YHC then delivered the pre-workout FNG speech while we did SSH.  (about 4 minutes of SSH) Pax mosey to the top of Ting Park for IW x10 HB x10, Windmills x8, Mountain Climbers x25
The Workout: Pair up based on Speed. Pax went in opposite directions around park. Each time they met Double Merkin Burpees x10. We repeated this four total laps (2 Miles) Burpees were about every 1/4 mile.  Next we mosey to the bottom of Ting Ramp for Merkin Suicides. At each lamp post (12 total) 2 merkins at post and then 2 back at bottom of ramp. 48 total Merkins during suicides.
Mary: We were running short on time, so YHC sang Mary Had a Little Lamb while we did Suicides.  Yoga cool down during COT
Announcements: Tremendous work on coming together for our brother Forceps this past weekend. Memorial Service for his son this weekend at Hope 12-2
T-Claps (Recognition):  A lot of Cotters this morning came out for a good start to their week. Welcome back Bigalo, Particle Board, Rainmaker and our FNG Fatback for pushing hard.
Prayer: Leahy Family, Rainmaker’s fellow officer Chris lost his wife at 41 from a virus. A gentle reminder if your sick, stay home and get well. Even a small virus can turn deadly. Rainmaker to follow up if the family needs any support, other than our prayers.

 

 

A Pirate’s Life at Mutiny; Zamboni Goalie #90; Welcome Armpit!

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FNGs: Welcome FNG Dave Mack, aka Armpit, also known as Doug in some parts.  A career USAF veteran, a fan of Ohio State too.  Gave him disclaimers.  Thanks R-22 for bringing him out!

Warm Up:  Had all 16 PAX run around the gym and circle up in the half circle for the following warmup exercises on this 47 degree clear day:  25 SSH, 10 Don Quixotes, 10 Daisy Pickers, 10 Sir Fazio (F/R), 10 Seal Claps, 10 O/H claps.

The Workout:  PAX split up into two workouts, kettle bell or boot camp.  YHC was inspired by a recent beat down by our very own Pirate, POTS.  Rather than sandbags, we opted for Rocks.  Minnesota was MIA although LipSync tried finding it with his 40,000 lumen headlamp!  Karaoke / jog to the rock pile.  Grab a medium sized rock.  Line up in a straight line on the soccer pitch.  Dauber called out 10 or so rock exercises (20 count or 10 cadence count).  After completing one exercise, PAX dropped their rock and jogged backwards about halfway (some think it was more like 3/4).  5 merkins.  Jog back to their rock.  The exercises included:  Curls for the girls, rut-rows, O/H press, triceps curl, toe taps, bus drivers, SIMBAS, goblet squats, plank hold slap rocks, ground pounders.  Move to the cement sidewalk.  On your six.  Chest presses (multiple).  With rock above chest, hold 6 inches (20 cc), still holding rock, 10 chest presses, still holding rock, 45 degrees on legs (20 cc), 10 chest presses, still holding rock, legs 90 deg (20 cc), 10 chest presses, still holding rock, 6 inches legs off ground.  Arms burning.  Recover.  20 LBCs.  Good ams.  Return rocks to the pile.  Saw some sparks!  Toe taps on the curb.  Bear crawl to an island.  Frankensteins. Open doors for our hips.  Mosey to the wall.  Great mumble chatter re: emergency goalie, #90, Canes hockey game.  Look it up – amazing story!  At the wall, 15 cc BTTW, 15 cc People’s Chair; Runner’s Stretches against the wall.

 

Mary:  Joined LED and Red October PAX on the tennis courts.  Lots of ab work including pickle pounders, home to marge, LBCs, hello freakin’ dollies, etc.

Announcements:  Saturday service for Jon (Forceps’s kid) – Hope (Apex), 12-2; New updated Q sheet (sign up for every AO in SW)

T-Claps (Recognition):  EC guys; All PAX contributing to a great cause!

Prayer:  First responders, Military, Injured PAX, Relationships at home, Forceps and his family; LED took us out.

2nd F – Panera Bread to follow.

An honor leading you men in the gloom!  Love you guys!  -Dauber

 

So There’s This Guy in Front of the Elevator doing Jumping Jacks…

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EC: Yogurt, Full House

A balmy 48 degrees for YHC’s 2nd Q at the Train. After planting the shovel flag, YHC had to do a little recon on the parking deck to be sure no ice patches were left and we had a clean playing field. Returned to the lot to find many PAX ready to roll. 11 mighty men got stronger aboard the train today.

FNG’s: None
Warm Up: SSH x 20, Good Mornings x 10, Seal/Overhead Claps x 10 each, Frankenstein x 10, IW x 10, and Hillbillies x 10.
The Workout: PAX moseyed a non-traditional DT loop down to the library circle and back to the 2nd floor of the parking deck.

The group did some fast feet on the curbs down the length of the lot. Squat hold for 6. The return trip was typewriter style back down to the beginning using the curbs. Plank hold for the 6. Returned to 1st floor

Pax were each assigned a parking space for a series of AMRAP exercises. The “timer” would be the first pax in line who would run the stairs to the 3rd floor and do SSH x 10 in front of the elevator. No talk of any weird stares from any customers. Too early I guess… Pax would then return to the end of the line, next pax would go and exercise would change.  This train went down to the wall and back until all pax climbed the stairs twice.  AMRAP exercises were:

Prisoner Squats, LSF’s, Merkins, Sumo Squat Jumps, Plank Hold, WW2’s, Split Lunges, Shoulder Taps, Star Jumps, Homer2Marge, Standard Squats, Pickle Pounders, Monkey Humpers, Carolina Dry Docks, LBC’s, People’s Chair, Wide Grip Merkins, Dying Cockroaches,  and 3 sets of Burpees mixed in there.  I think I heard Da Business say “c’mon seriously” when YHC called for the first set.  It’s ok, he was the stair climber on the last set of those. RESPECT  .

The train made it successfully both ways. YHC had 2 more Thang’s on the docket for today including some sprints and some BTTW work, but to no avail as time expired.

Mary: Mixed into the Thang’s.
Announcements: Forceps son memorial service this Saturday 12-2 at Hope Apex. Yogurt has the Q at The Nest Tuesday.  Come on down and get out of your comfort zone he says. Run for DeeDee 5 k coming up.  Check slack or w/ Skidmark about this.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the pax putting in great work today!
Prayer: Forceps, military, first responders, our Nation. Pumpkin Spice has a neighbor who lost his brother, needs support, and hopefully can get EH’d to a workout soon.  This young man needs this community of HIM. Honored to lead fellas!

Where My Dogs At? Good Guy Miles for 4 PAX at AGS..

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No Q Tour travels this morning for YHC. It’s Sunday and as site Q of AGS, there was planning involved, but nothing that would require a walk through. Pre-Blast offered ‘Good Guy’ miles, nothing too crazy, no hill repeats, no Crossway, no slippery bridges…just straight flat road miles for all those in need of a shake out run from the day before, figuring there may be a need given the Strava feeds. A 3 mi EC was also planned for those in need of extra mileage. Certainly, YHC was in need of more miles this week having traveled on Monday and Tuesday, but who else would show?

Only received an Aquaman “SC” from the night before and a M4L- “Asking for a friend” rucking request, but you probably know how that ends.

Arrived to Womble around 5:20. Redenbacher was already there. Planted the flag, grabbed the light up vest and we were off. A nice even paced jaunt up Stinson to Rogers St. and then onto Main past Sir Walter (where M4L would have stopped for coffee if he showed for the ruck) and behind the parking deck where Ivan meets. Have big plans for that AO this coming Friday after taking a closer look at the surroundings this morning. Proceeded straight past Downtown Train and then a right on Earp, following all the way to a right on Bass Lake and then Stinson back to the flag. Arrived back to see 2 new cars parked in the lot.

Oboe had just pulled up and the owner of the other vehicle was stretching on the curb. At first YHC had thought it was Sprinkler. As I arrived closer, I didn’t recognize the face and did a double take. Could it be? “Hi, I’m Keith,” he said.  The past 3 weeks have yielded 2 new FNG’s at AGS. Shout out to Farva for headlocking “Keith” this morning to join this thing we call F3.

5:28 and still no sign of any other PAX. Where my dogs at?….YHC gets it. There were alot of miles yesterday and Sunday’s are typically a day of rest for many, but would like to see some more folks on Sunday over the next few weeks. Gave our FNG the disclaimer and warmed up with the following series of exercises

FNGs: Welcome Vasoline. YHC, Redenbacher, and Oboe had a tough time with the naming ceremony this morning. We really needed Dawgpound on this one. Vasoline works in the beverage\soft drink industry with Farva and tried to come up with obscure soda references to start. After a few minutes between teetering on Shasta and Fresca, and a beverage called Moxie that YHC came up with that neither Oboe or Redenbacher had heard of, we then started asking about sports teams and favorite bands. Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots came up and we settled on the STP classic- Vasoline.

Warm Up: Light jog around the lot. Frankensteins and lunge walks to the middle. Carioca L\R, R\L. Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Morocan Night Clubs X10, GM’s X10, Fazio 10F\10B, Prison Squats X10, Squat Hold while YHC explained the route.

The Workout: From the tennis courts, PAX would proceed the long way around the baseball fields and up Grigsby to the neighborhood on the right of the Sugg Farm gate. Follow it down to the greenway and then a right to follow the newer greenway extension back to Grigsby. Followed Grigsby past Stinson and a left on Rogers St., past Main and behind to Earp (just like the EC route), but a right back on to Raleigh St. and then Stinson back to the flag. PAX got between 4-5mi with several pick ups of the six.

Mary: Stretches- Pigeons, Downward Dogs, Right over Left, Left over Right.  All while watching a tremendous sunrise.

Announcements: Forceps’ son’s memorial service is Saturday, Feb 29th at Hope Church from 12-2. Check Slack for updates.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out this morning in the cold and putting the work in.

Prayer: Prayers for Forceps and his family. Wallaby and those battling substance issues. All military and first responders. YHC took us out.